I never thought this day would come - a day on which I both profoundly disagree with the esteemed Celebrity Trollop, and review a skin for which I only have the demo version.
But lo, that day has arrived.
Celebrity recently filed a very enthusiastic report on the Raspberry and Cow skins over at Second Style. By the time a third person had mentioned them to me, I figured I should get my tucas over there and try them for myself. I tried three skins (Emma, Nikki and Sarah) at random.
The detailing on the faces is very good, and in this skin, at least,the makeup is very natural and pretty. The facial effect is excellent:
The eyebrows, lip cleft, and freckles here are all very well done, though clearly very photosourcey - which is simply a matter of style. But in contrast to Celebrity’s rave review, I was decidedly unimpressed by the overall package. It’s entirely possible that Celebrity is in it for the faces and not a “get your kit off” kind of reviewer, but my God, the body detailing:
It is so, so shadey.
RaC is very photosourced skin, with a heavy-handed application of both shadows and highlights. I have a very, very strong preference for one or the other, and not a lot of it either; the RaC skin here here looks to me like my avatar has been heavily beaten with a tanning stick. Ergo, I was not willing to buy the non-demo version (nor was I going to IM the creator for a review copy of a product I already knew I didn’t like.)
Just to be prefectly clear, these shots are taken with full frontal lighting. I’m not standing in a shadow or lit from behind; the photos are taken the same way, on the same stand, and in the same lighting conditions all my other skin review shots are taken.
There is just so much contrast around the breasts (and yet so little detail in the nipples), and the abdomen looks like I’ve just had a date with a bottle of Wesson oil. From the rear perspective, the spine is severely over-shadowed, the shoulder blades are overlit, and the line beneath the bum is seriously heavy. The forearms seem bizarrely darker than the rest of the skin, and there’s an unfortunate shading transition between the tops of the arms and the underarms that really does make me look as if I’m a victim of spray on tan.
In her post, Celebrity notes that:
…the overall look of the skin is highly influenced by the underlying shape. Now that’s true for all skins, of course, but in particular some of the skins just didn’t look especially good on some of the shapes that my friends have. But it’s such a minor criticism and the quality level here is fantastic.
I obviously disagree - as evidenced above, I don’t think it’s a minor criticism (we’re racking up several points on the Major Flaws list for me) nor am I convinced that the quality level approaches some of the leading skins on the market. There are excellent details here - the knees are wonderful, for example, and the kitty is absolutely superlative. There are elbows, a feature I always look for but rarely find (but on my av at least, they are placed too high.) The definition around the collarbones and neck cords is excellent, too.
Of course, I trust Celebrity, and the skin she bought looks great on her. Clearly there are serious variations with the skin both between lines and between avatars. And I’m sure that if you’re not a skin reviewer or a hooker and are less bothered by the body than about the face, you may well be a very happy RaC buyer.
But as with any skin, I would suggest getting a few demos, and if you’re not a “strip off right in the middle of the store” kind of gal, take them home and get naked. Try before you buy. A skin is by definition the whole package from head to toes, and you should be happy with all of the aspects that are important to you. This is not the skin for me, but your mileage may well vary.
Where to Buy:
Raspberry and Cow
Emma Skin: $100L
Gramela (122, 251, 39)
I enjoy your reviews and critiques, but there is an expression I occasionally use for such situations — angels dancing on the head of a pin. Maybe my monitor is too low res, or my eye too plain. But it looks good to me. ^^
Comment by Hyperia Ennui — December 8, 2006 @ 6:35 am
Hmm, in the pictures it kind of looks like to me, that the body isn’t 100% rezzed. I’ve had skins not fully rez and they look sort of like that when it happens, fuzzy and all weird shady looking. Hmm very strange,
My curiousity is piqued, has Salome tried it?
Comment by CronoCloud Creeggan — December 8, 2006 @ 7:16 am
Hyperia, maybe you just *like* a skin I don’t like. It would be a shame if we all prefered the same thing, because then there would be no variety in the marketplace.
My posts are merely my opinions. I try to back up where they come from within the review, but in the end, it is all just editorial, you know?
Crono, I let the skin rezz for quite a while (more than 15 minutes) and kept it on while writing the review. I would obviously feel *terrible* if that’s what’s happened here, but I was swapping out with other skins and other demos initially, and they all loaded fine. I didn’t have any reason to think it was a rezzing issue, but if someone informs me otherwise, or I get a result in a few hours (I am of course happy to check again), I’ll revise.
Comment by Sabrina Doolittle — December 8, 2006 @ 7:23 am
You’re right, it’s not a rez issue. The demo text on the skin is as clear as a bell, but the skin itself looks exactly like in your pictures.
I tried the Jill Demo too, same thing.
Faces are great, the body, welllllllllll.
I hate to say this, but this is a skin I’m not going to recommend (and in fact steer people away from) 4000$SL for one skin with ummmm not so good shading?
Comment by CronoCloud Creeggan — December 8, 2006 @ 7:47 am
I get my kit off regularly to dance on stage, so .. no. I just cannot wear this skin with anything less than a sweater and jeans. For 4000L, that’s shameful.
I almost want to ask for a refund or at least an updated version down the line, but it’s my own fault for not checking the skin in all conditions.
I’m still smitten with the detail in the face, but I haven’t worn my skin since the day I bought it because of, well, everything you mentioned here. Majorly disappointed.
Comment by Decadent Rothschild — December 8, 2006 @ 8:16 am
When I saw the skins on Celebrity’s site, I thought it looked great, and was interested enough to try it on myself. Ugh. I never got as far as to examine the body in detail … I was too distracted by the eyebrows that began what seemed about two inches from the bridge of my nose. I’m no fan of the unibrow, but I do like my eyebrows to start closer to my nose as opposed to somewhere over the middle of my eyes. If it hadn’t been for that, I would have likely bought it (because I did like the makeup), figuring that my standard modest outfits of jeans and sweaters (at least in winter) hides a multitude of sins. BTW, wb!
Comment by Jordan Hazlitt — December 8, 2006 @ 8:29 am
I tried on a couple of the ‘Milky’ demos and what stood out for me was the ashy undertone on the body skin. The faces were fine, but from the neck down…not so much. I didn’t even bother to look to inspect the bits and pieces; I just just trashed the demos and walked away.
I also think 4000L is too much to ask for a single skin, especially from a new designer. 1000-1500 seems to be the going rate for most of the well-known skin artists, and the higher end is often mod. Build up some name recognition, THEN increase prices, but still to a reasonable level.
Comment by Ann — December 8, 2006 @ 5:46 pm
i tried the emma demo a few days ago and i’m sort of relieved to read others had similar reactions to this skin (good face, the rest not so much). i thought maybe it was that my shape reacted badly, or that my eyes were just used to my usual, more soft-focussy skins. too bad, ’cause i’m a sucker for freckles and thought the face was sweet. in fact, if not for the exorbitant price i might have bought it anyway and covered the rest up with that nun costume LL reviewed a little while ago.
Comment by lupita maloney — December 8, 2006 @ 6:15 pm
Honestly, I wouldn’t pay $4000L for a single skin…and after reading the review here it doesn’t look like this one is worth it - but perhaps a new designer to watch for the future
Comment by Gillian Waldman — December 8, 2006 @ 9:29 pm
*sobs*
Why such blurry nipples?
I think this designer has potential, but definately needs a lot of work to be worth 4000L. Right now? No way!
Comment by Kalia — December 8, 2006 @ 10:43 pm
Worth mentioning here is that Sabrina is a member of realskins so this is not a very impartial review : )
Comment by Robin — December 8, 2006 @ 10:52 pm
A fascinating critique, Sabrina! This, I think, is what fashion blogs need more of, good, old-fashioned honest critique! I’ve been getting a little sick of PXP’s gushing reviews on EVERYTHING, which makes it hard for a hobby designer like me who is just starting to make stuff for fun learn what is important to get right in clothes.
Comment by Talon Lardner — December 9, 2006 @ 12:46 am
Welllllllllll..
I tried the demo’s on and pretty much feel the same as most of you guys, I think the body shading let’s the skin down, but.. I do think that with some more practise or you know.. whatever.. these designers can go far and I am looking forward to seeing more skins from them
Each to their own and all that jazz, I am just SO anal about my skins, I guess when you get used to something, you don’t like such a drastic change, eh?
Thanks for the review, Sabrina, you are my totally cool and uber honest idol (PS.. next time, when we meet up, i won’t be drunk,, I SWEAR!)
Comment by Willow — December 9, 2006 @ 12:30 pm
Hi Robin -
I met Stephen Lightworker of RealSkins after I reviewed his skin many months ago. When he bought his first commercial land, I built and decorated his store; he was a client and I was paid for my work. I joined his group so I could build on his land and move his displays around the new store. I regularly do custom builds, so what groups I’m in at any given point is rather fluxy (And probably needs tidying.)
I like Stephen just fine, but I don’t wear his skins because I prefer un-photosourced skins. My membership in a group I joined five or six months ago does not impact my reviews. You are of course at liberty to not take me at my word, but my investment in changing your mind is really very minimal. I’ve said it before, but once more just for kicks:
There is no Linden Lifestyles cabal, and our reviews are not part of some Grassy Knoll conspiracy to channel money to our Secret Swiss Bank Accout via 350 reviews and a $L laundering scheme. Although if you figure out how to make that work, please drop me a notecard.
And I swear to God - if I have the integrity to stand (naked) behind my opinions and put my face, name, and body behind them, the least you could do is post under your complete SL name. Throwing stones is easy when nobody knows where your glass house might be.
Willow, you are adorable drunk or sober, so I’m not bothered either way
If there’s another SLUK or SLROI get together, though, let me know - I’m there!
Comment by Sabrina Doolittle — December 9, 2006 @ 5:20 pm
Yeah, I just don’t like these skins. I think they are weird looking, especially the shading on the face in the darker skins. I like a cleaner more ‘cartoony’ skin, though.
Comment by Isis Eagle — December 10, 2006 @ 6:11 am
Dear Sabrina,
Thank you for the balanced review! I have tried many, many demo skins, and am yet to find one better than the *free* (yes free) medium skin by Amberly Kinsella at the Jubata Dumpster newbie area (no I’m not her agent lol). Yes, as you have noted with this skin, so many seem to totally over-do the shadows / highlights. Oh well I will keep searching! I will start with your reviewed skins etc. here.
Thanks again!
Comment by Simone Something — December 10, 2006 @ 9:39 am
Hi Sabrina,
Thank you for noticing my work! I will not change these skins, since there are lots of people who like the look of them as they are. But I will add new body types. I hope you will like any of them more. Everyone has different preferences and I will not ignore any of them. At the moment I have made deluxepacks for all the skins, without raising the price.
Someone said a new designer should not take this much for a skin. I’m not a new designer since I do this in RL. If someone doesn’t like my work, then I suggest you don’t buy it. But I think it’s up to each designer, RL or SL, to decide how much their time and effort is worth.
Anyway, if nobody had ever criticized my work, I would probably not have been where I am today. It’s the best driving force a designer can get. You should try doing the same with your other reviews and see what happens.
Hope I’ll see you again soon, keep up the good work =)
Comment by Mallory Cowen — December 13, 2006 @ 9:12 pm
I just got back from this store, I was in search of male skin. I love naughty design skins but EVERY FREAKIN MALE has it and we are all starting to look like clones.
Her male skins look well done, but why in the world is she charign 4k for ONE skin- did I miss something?
Comment by Jesse — December 18, 2006 @ 11:40 pm
I spent the full $4K for her Chloe skin (which I do like) back after Celebrity’s review. Yesterday I heard the disquieting accusation from Erika Jun that RaC was simply modifying free skins from Sims2. Here is a comment that was added by Hale Viking to Celebrity’s blog yesterday (http://blog.secondstyle.com/2006/12/raspberry-and-holy-cow.html): Their newly opened island (1/27/07) just closed after Erika Jun claimed on 2/3/07 RaC merely modded free skins made for Sims2. A notice went out from the RaC update group just this evening (2/4/07) stating the island store had closed (indeed, the parcel is now ‘invalid’) and the current inventory is on sale for 25% off. Whether or not Erika Jun’s accusations hold water it looks like if you want one of these fabulous skins now is the time to grab them up (or install Sims2 ;-p)
Comment by Korali Galland — February 5, 2007 @ 6:49 pm
[…] and I still love it now, although side-by-side, it’s easy to see the flaws in the skin that annoyed my fashion blogger colleague Sabrina Doolittle at LindenLifestyles. But about a week ago, I got a note and an updated set of skins from Mallory. She wrote, […]
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